We sometimes place small data files called cookies on your device, which enable this website to work properly and remember your preferences. You can delete all cookies already on your device and you can set most browsers to prevent them from being placed, however some functionalities may not work.

News

Over 75 years of LGBTI military service in Australia was presented by Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives and City of Melbourne Library Service.

To commemorate 25 years since lifting the LGB ban, this exhibition showcases the history of LGBTI military service in Australia since World War II.

The exhibition brings together photographs, objects, documents and the life stories of current and former service personnel to explore how LGBTI Defence members navigated their lives in the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Air Force.

'Serving in Silence' the untold history of Australia’s LGBTI service personnel was launched earlier this week by Alex Grenwich, MP and supported by DEFGLIS president Vince Chong.

This exhibition brings to light the contributions of brave LGBTI service men and women performing combat and support roles, and the families that emerged in the most extraordinary of circumstances. - Vince Chong, DEFGLIS President

The TAP Art Gallery & Function House hosts the 'Serving in Silence' exhibition until Sunday 4th March following the successful installation at the State Gallery in Melbourne during the Midsumma Festival.

DEFGLIS memebr Rachel recalls her time on peace-keeping operations on board HMAS Tokbruk.

I was part of the ships force protection team.

I conducted wharf sentry duties, which included talking to the locals and helping them understand that we were there to help.

I also drove the Army troops ashore on our organise LCVP, small transport craft.

I remember seeing the happiness on the faces of the local kids when they knew we were there to help.

They would gather of an afternoon at the boundary fence to talk to us. They would follow the Army LAV's down the street clapping and waving at them.

You knew it was volatile, so you had to be on guard all the time, I recall gun fire and small explosions.By the end we had more friends then enemy's and the ARMY troops loved coming onboard to get some

By the end we had more friends then enemies in Dili.

The Army troops loved coming onboard to get some well-deserved feed and sleep, before heading back out for another security rotation.

The Govenor-General said that it was important to aspire to peace, humanity and compassion.

“It’s much harder to achieve peace and to actually protect the vulnerable and the dispossessed.

“It seems part of the human condition to want it with every fibre of our being, but never to attain perfect peace.

“Well, for 70 years Australian peacekeepers have served and sacrificed in the name of peace and this continues to this day.”

The Governor General said in missions right across the world, from the Middle East to Africa, from Asia to the Pacific, Australian peacekeepers were distinguished by their dedication and courage.

“Protecting children from abuse and exploitation, freeing others from a life as child soldiers, supporting democratic elections that are free and fair, stepping in in times of crisis and conflict,” he said.

“They do so to make the peace, to keep the peace, and honour those before them.

“In their blue berets, peacekeepers are a symbol of hope, they save lives, they change lives, they restore order, and bring security and stability.”

Intersex Awareness Day falls on the 26th of October, providing education about intersex people, whom are part of the diverse sexuality and gender community.

Intersex people are born with sex characteristics (including genitals, gonads and chromosome patterns) that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.

- United Nations

The United Nations estimates that 'between 0.05% and 1.7% of the population is born with intersex traits... In some cases, intersex traits are visible at birth while in others, they are not apparent until puberty. Some chromosomal intersex variations may not be physically apparent at all.'

DEFGLIS members recently met in Canberra to farewell the retiring president and members of the board, appoint new board members and enhance the association's constitution.
At the association's annual general meeting...